It is an issue that almost every single person on the planet has to live with—especially as they get older. After a walk or after exercising, or even sitting at a computer all day, peopleoften begin to experience back spasms or discomfort in their back.
On the mild end, this can be relieved with over-the-counter pain relief and heating pads. But if you have chronic back pain caused by tense muscles or nerve damage, then you may be looking for a more long-term way to manage it. So, read on to learn about five natural ways in which you can treat back pain.
Please note that this article does not apply to people who have conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis, as these conditions will require specialist help.
Table of Contents
Visit a Chiropractor
A chiropractor can establish the cause of your back pain and can provide you with exercises to do every single day, which can relieve it. They can also perform corrections to your spinal column and the muscles in your back, to help you stand taller and straighter, which may have been causing the back pain itself. But don’t worry! All chiropractors are based around the needs of their patients, and when you visit a group such as Taylor Chiropractic & Wellness, your needs will be put first, so you won’t be bent into any odd shapes!
Exercise
Exercise may seem like a bad idea when you have back pain,but some stretches can be done in your own home, which can alleviate tension in the muscles or the nerves. Exercising frequently does not have to involve going on a 20-mile run, but walking each day can help to build up the muscles in your back, which can help to support the spine and prevent discomfort.
Change Your Diet
There is a lot to be said about the link between diet and discomfort overall. However, when somebody discusses changing your diet when you have chronic back pain, in most instances it relates to choosing an anti-inflammatory diet. This means cutting out all complex sugarsand carbohydrates and focusing on oily protein-based foods, such as salmon and olives. Some people have found a lot of success in managing their back pain with the well-known Mediterranean diet.
Do Yoga
Going back to exercise for a moment, yoga is a great way to manage chronic discomfort, as it allows you to exercise gently in your own home, while also doing deep breathing, which is found to reduce stress. If you notice a link between your stress levels and your back pain, it may be worth visiting a counselor or psychologist for ways to better manage your stress, but as a starting point, doing yoga can do wonders!
Go Swimming
Swimming is also a great way to build up muscles in your back without you needing to put excessive strain on your legs or arms. If you find swimming difficult at first—because it is rather intense—simply floating in the pool and kicking can help you to strengthen your back and alleviate discomfort.
